How do you usually focus?

Drake · Aug 27, 2008

What's your preference? I mean most of the time you shoot, because there ale always situations you've got to go the other way. But still... AF or MF? How do you use the AF points? Servo? I think it would be valuable for us newbs to learn how you pros (and other newbs of course

) do it.

As for me, my XTi kit lens are not exactly what I'd call precise when it comes to the focusing ring, so unless it is not too dark for AF, I usually don't bother using MF. I also can't get myself to use the multi-spot AF, most of the time I've just got the center spot on and aim it at the thing I want in focus. Servo? No, not really.

Steph · Aug 27, 2008

I shoot many landscapes and most of the time I use MF and hyperfocal focussing (then again my AF camera hardly gets any use).

Battou · Aug 27, 2008

I manual focus every thing. Even if I did have AF, I'd use manual.

tirediron · Aug 27, 2008

Modern DSLRs and lenses are designed for auto-focus. Generally, I use a single AF point (which I select) and single-servo auto-focus. Macro work I manually focus, but other than that, it's pretty much let the camera do the work (making sure it goes where I want).

Overread · Aug 27, 2008

Depends what I am shooting:

Macro - manual focus
Wildlife - aiservo continuous focusing on the centre focusing point
Wildlife creative (ie when I get a chance and remember) - aiservo continuous focusing on a side focusing point - one only
night time/dark condition shooting without af assist beam - manual mode

randym77 · Aug 27, 2008

I use both, roughly equally. I usually use the AF for sports, because it's faster and more accurate than I am.

I like manual for when I have more time to set up the shot. I like seeing how changing the area of sharp focus changes the image.

kundalini · Aug 27, 2008

My eyesight is degrading so I tend to trust AF more so than MF.

ksmattfish · Aug 27, 2008

I use both. I have my cameras set to only use the center AF point, and have the custom functions set so that the AE lock button on the back of the camera is AF, and the shutter button is AE lock. I normally keep the AF in single shot mode. I've also installed split ring and split cross focusing screens to help with manual focusing.

Big Mike · Aug 27, 2008

I also have my cameras set to use only the centre AF point and the AE-lock (*) button to activate AF. That way, I can turn AF on or off with my thumb, independent of the shutter button.

And because I can so easily turn AF on or off (by holding the button or not), I usually just leave it in servo mode.

Juliette · Aug 27, 2008

what is servo mode?

lockwood81 · Aug 27, 2008

I generally use the center AF point and recompose after focusing.

Big Mike · Aug 27, 2008

what is servo mode?

It's a mode for continuous focusing.
In single shot focus mode, the camera will focus on something then lock on it, usually you can not take the shot until the focus has locked. In servo mode, the focus is does not lock and will continue to focus while activated and you can snap the shot anytime, in focus or not.

If your camera has this mode, it will be explained in your manual.

Juliette · Aug 27, 2008

thanks Big Mike!
So it is the same as continuous focus, good, so my camera has it as well

kostasfmx · Aug 27, 2008

Big Mike said:
I also have my cameras set to use only the centre AF point and the AE-lock (*) button to activate AF. That way, I can turn AF on or off with my thumb, independent of the shutter button.

And because I can so easily turn AF on or off (by holding the button or not), I usually just leave it in servo mode.

What is AE-lock?
I usually use AF but i want to learn MF
Please send links
thanks

Big Mike · Aug 27, 2008

AE-Lock....Auto Exposure Lock. On some (maybe all) Canon SLR cameras, it's a button with an asterisk symbol (*).

In default mode, it's used to lock the exposure, so that you can aim the camera at something (or exclude something) then recompose to take the shot, without the camera changing the exposure settings. Canon SLR cameras have the option of changing the function of this button to Auto Focus (away from the shutter button) and then assigning the exposure lock back to the shutter button.